My Scottish grandfather, John W. Blyth, was a man addicted to paintings. A manufacturer of linen, he spent all his surplus money on pictures. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
You never quite know what you do in life that leaves a seed behind that grows into an oak tree. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
If the Tories and Lib Dems fought together, they'd keep their ministerial offices and limousines, and continue to do the right things for the… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Were we ever to find ourselves living under a totalitarian regime, place no faith in the mercy of your fellow citizens. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
America, to me, is this enormous contrast between the heady idealism of founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, who said, 'All men are created… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
I think a lot of people of my generation have a certain guilt that, from the Sixties onwards, we started taking package holidays abroad… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Television brings with it two dangerous hazards: the worship of celebrity and the blurring of reality and fantasy. — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
People have said to me, 'Oh, you are much nicer making documentaries than you were in politics.' So I should be. If you are… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
'Bradshaw's' is a lovely device for the time-travelling television presenter. I just hope that people buying it aren't doing so with the intention of… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
King Edward VIII was forced to abdicate because he was determined to marry a divorced woman. As a result of that decision, the Queen's… — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
Three letters send a chill down the spine of the enemy: SAS. Those letters spell out one clear message. Don't mess with Britain! — Michael Portillo Copy Share Image
